FIFA awards 2022 World Cup to Qatar, denies USA

FIFA announced on Thursday afternoon in Zürich, Switzerland, that the quadrennial world championship will be held in Qatar.

This is the first time that a Middle Eastern nation will host the World Cup, and only the second time the tournament will be held in a nation from the Asian confederation. (Japan and South Korea co-hosted in 2002.)

The US Bid, whose committee included such luminaries as President Bill Clinton, director Spike Lee and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, among others, was founded on the financial opportunities of the US market and the increasing popularity of soccer in the country. More than 1.2 million fans signed the US Bid’s online petition.

In a teleconference after the announcement, US Soccer President Sunil Gulati declined to say whether or not the US would bid for the 2026 World Cup, calling it too early to say.

Word of Qatar’s victory actually emerged before the Executive Committee vote was made public. The head of the Qatar bid reportedly told Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based news network, that Qatar was the winner.

Russia to Host 2018

FIFA named Russia as the host of the 2018 World Cup. It is the first time the Russians will host the tournament.